As a VIN decoding and vehicle data provider, we interact with many different segments of the auto industry, including auto insurance. So, we thought it’d be a great idea to have our friends over at The Zebra contribute on our blog. Without further ado...

The NHTSA has been providing valuable crash testing ratings since 1978 that are based on front-impact crashes, side-impact crashes, and rollover resistance (added in 2011). In recent news, however, there could be some added categories to these crash test ratings.

The process of underwriting for auto insurance policies involves many steps, accounting for a number of risk variables. The vehicle specifications are just one piece to consider when assessing risk. Some others include client demographics, geography, and driving history to name a few.

As the variety of available vehicle safety equipment continues to increase, so does their effect on insurance risk ratings. With the large number of tasks at hand, it’s important that underwriters utilize resources that can save them time and increase process accuracy.

Auto Technology: Aluminum Vehicle Technology

Aluminum dominates as the choice material for wheels and engine blocks in the automotive industry. In the last few decades, the use of aluminum auto technology has increased. Beyond its lighter weight which can enhance fuel efficiency and performance capabilities, aluminum is recyclable and can improve safety by absorbing more crash energy than steel. However, it is not without disadvantages.

The 2014 BMW i8 is easily one of BMW's most impressive releases in quite some time, combining the most attractive features of a sporty, high performance vehicle with those of an economy car. This beautiful piece of machinery has many of the advanced technology features we've covered in our automotive technology series thus far... and more.

Up until now, one rear view and two side view mirrors have been a necessity in order to legally operate a vehicle, thus promoting safer driving habits. With this newer auto technology of rear view and side view cameras, mirrors could one day soon be permanently replaced.

A handful of automotive manufacturers including Volkswagen, GM, Toyota, and Tesla have officially petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for this change over, spinning off of the new requirement that all vehicles under 10,000 lbs produced from May 1, 2018 onward must be equipped with backup cameras.

Motorcycles offer a great deal of joy and freedom for their riders. However, riding a motorcycle carries with it risks, so most serious riders desire good insurance coverage. For convenience and best policy rates, many riders go online for quotes on motorcycle insurance. There is plenty of competition out there among websites offering these types of quotes. If your company provides motorcycle insurance quotes, you need a way to stand out from the crowd.

Never before have there been more ways for auto dealers to market inventory to customers - who are able to take advantage of unprecedented availability of vehicle data and methods of comparison shopping.

Since 1981 the global vehicle manufacturing community has used the 17 digit VIN as a means to uniquely identify a vehicle. The VIN captures basic vehicle information as part of an international standard, and in some countries, like the US, it is used to capture additional data. In the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, is tasked with regulating the information the VIN must capture, how it is assigned and to whom. Some of the many benefits of the VIN system include being able to identify and recall vehicles with safety issues, track vehicle's accident and maintenance history, and identify vehicles that have been stolen.